U.S. Open 2017: Shapovalov advances in straight sets

NEW YORK — When Denis Shapovalov walked out onto Court 7 for his first ever U.S. Open main draw match on Monday, he received a round of applause from his American and Canadian fans.

The 18-year-old Canadian has already been here for a week, winning three qualifying matches to set up his match against Russian Daniil Medvedev, which he won handily, 7-5, 6-1, 6-2, in 1 hour, 36 minutes. During his time here, he has already built up support from his followers in Canada and the U.S.

"I heard some of the fans talking to me. They come from Calgary, from Montreal, from Toronto to come out and support me," he said. "All the other Americans that are looking after me. It's so much fun to be on the court under these conditions. Like I said before in Montreal, the crowd really helps me play my best tennis. They helped me out again today. So I'm very thankful to have them. Hopefully they come and support some more."

Shapovalov has become tennis's latest "it" man this summer, the result of his firepower from the baseline that manifested in victories over 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and world No.1 Rafael Nadal in Montreal.

Now he will get another chance against an elite player when he faces No. 8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round on Wednesday, a popcorn match that could be showcased during the night session in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"Jo has been on the tour forever," he said of the 32-year-old Frenchman. "I grew up watching him play, just like I did with Rafa and DelPo. It's a match I'm going in with nothing to lose. Obviously the pressure is more on him. I'm just hoping to have a good fight, a good match. It's going to be very tough. He's an incredible player. He's achieved so much in his career. It's going to be a good test for me once again."

Tsonga has won 15 career tites, including three this year. But he lost in the first round of his previous two U.S. Open warmup tournaments, in Montreal and Cincinnati.

"I'm feeling good," Tsonga said before Shapovalov won. "The last two tournaments was difficult for me because I was playing good tennis, good level and I had a good opponent in front of me. I didn't have the results I expect last couple of weeks, but I know I did the job. I worked pretty hard before that, so I'm just ready to play here at the U.S."

Medvedev, 21, entered the match ranked 15 spots ahead of Shapovalov at 54 in the world.

But Shapovalov looked cool and composed early, landing two breaks in the first set. On set point, he approached the net and hit a forehand volley winner into the open court to seize it 7-5.

He then broke the Russian twice more in the second set and cruised to a two-sets-to-love lead. For the match, Shapovalov converted 7-of-12 break points.

Shapovalov was content to stay back and outhit the Russian from the baseline and his one-handed backhand was working especially well.

"Yeah, I was hitting it well," he said of his backhand. "I've been feeling my strokes really well. I think I played extremely well today. I don't think any specific stroke was better than normal. I was just feeling the ball really well off every wing. Yeah, I was just playing really good."

He's now won four matches at the Open, including qualifying, and seems to thrive on playing in big spots in front of large crowds.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "For me, I grew up wanting to play in these situations, wanting to play at the Open, wanting to play at home in Montreal. I'm just enjoying my time on the court. I don't feel any pressure, like I mention all the time. At the end of the day, I play for myself, for my team and for my country. Those three things I always take with me on the court. I play with my heart. At the end of the day it's a sport. I can win and I can lose."

He's even developing a bit of a reputation for his style, too. The velco strap on his baseball cap sometimes sticks out, although on this day it wasn't.

"Some people started joking around about it," he said. "One comedian in Montreal took a selfie with me. They are calling it Shapo-fashion. I don't know about that. Who knows."

What's known is this: Shapovalov has another big shot on Wednesday to take out a top player. And the tennis world will be watching.